journamalism

How Is Obama Murdering Ronald Reagan With His Bare Black Hands Today?

Hey, did you guys hear this not at all completely hypothetical and fictional and made up (that is what “fictional” means) story about how Barack Obama is personally going to tear down Ronald Reagan’s childhood home with his bare black hands? So he can put his presidential library on it? Why would he even need a presidential library? What is he, some kind of “celebrity”? Oh, right, the story is hypothetical and fictional and made up and isn’t gonna happen? But Newsmax and Fox News and the conservative guy at Mediaite reported that it is? Imagine that. Here is the lede to Marti Lotman’s story in Newsmax.

The University of Chicago Medical Center has announced plans to turn Ronald Reagan’s childhood home in Chicago into a parking lot for President Barack Obama’s library.

Would you believe every single word in that lede is wrong? Whaaaaa?

Media Matters (of course) tracks down this bizarre little story. It began with a Washington Times “Communities” column by William J. Kelly, who pointed out the University of Chicago’s strong ties to the Obamas (true). And that the university bought the apartment house where Reagan lived for a year when he was four (true). And that the university wants to knock it down (true). Then Kelly hypothecated that maaaybe the university would use it for an eventual Obama library, which they doubtless really want. So far so good, just your standard what-if conspiracy theory.

But “what if” is not how anyone else reported it, including FoxNation:

Rebecca is the owner, editrix and publisher of Wonkette. She was in newspapers for a very long time. Follow her on the Twitter. She is currently on maternity leave (until 2033), so you didn't just read this post.